The bill S. 346 aims to amend Section 16-3-600 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which pertains to assault and battery offenses. The proposed changes specifically introduce new provisions that classify unlawful injuries to health care professionals during their duties or within health care facilities as "assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature." This classification carries a more severe penalty, allowing for imprisonment of up to thirty years upon conviction, compared to the standard penalties for other forms of assault and battery. The bill also defines terms such as "health care professional" and "health care facility" to clarify the scope of the law.

In addition to the new classifications and penalties, the bill outlines the definitions of various degrees of assault and battery, including first, second, and third degrees, with specific penalties associated with each. Notably, the bill establishes that offenses committed against health care professionals or within health care facilities are considered more serious and carry harsher penalties than similar offenses committed in other contexts. The bill is set to take effect upon approval by the Governor, ensuring that the legal framework surrounding assaults on health care professionals is strengthened to provide better protection for those in the medical field.

Statutes affected:
02/13/2025: 16-3-600
02/18/2025: 16-3-600
04/16/2025: 16-3-600
04/22/2025: 16-3-600
04/30/2025: 16-3-600
Latest Version: 16-3-600